Originally Posted By: lazyman_1
Cowboy open on the 3rd is a good one. Better than all the others listed here.

Nebraska Kearney open is probably one of the toughest opens you could go to. It is the replacement of the kaufman brand that used to be held at Omaha.


The Cowboy Open may be tough, but it does not “replace” the Kaufman-Brand Open. The Kaufman-Brand Open moved with Coach Denney, several assistant coaches and dedicated wrestlers to Maryville University in St. Louis with the full support of the Kaufman and Brands families.

The Kaufman-Brand Open is held in honor of the late Ryan Kaufman, a Nebraska-Omaha national champion and a member of the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Kaufman, who served as an Omaha, Neb., fireman, was killed in a traffic accident in early 1991. His legacy lives on through this tournament.

Glen Brand, an Omaha, Neb., resident and former Olympic wrestling champion, has provided financial support to the tournament and sponsored the Glen Brand open, which was held at UNO every January. Glen passed away several years ago, and his son, Greg Brand, has taken over responsibilities for the meet.

The 2012 Maryville University Kaufman-Brand Open will be held at Westminster Christian Academy Saturday, December 1. This year's tournament will have 2 divisions - Amateur (formerly 17-20) & Elite (formerly 21+ or Open). Wrestling will take place at a larger venue with 8 mats.

Westminster Christian Academy finished construction on their $50 million project in early August 2011. This includes the addition of a multitude of fields for both practicing on and hosting games including 12 tennis courts, 3 gymnasiums, 1 theater that seats 1000, a black box theater, a football stadium, soccer field, 2-4 practice fields, swimming pool, and many storage facilities and lockers. This place is top notch and has partnered with Maryville University to host the 2012 Maryville Kaufman-Brand Open.


Lou Ann Baker